If you're looking for a home -in an area that has an HOA & you're worried about the additional fees so the neighborhood is full of golf enthusiasts - then just find a better house elsewhere & make your own better HOA that has no rules?
I don't know - this must be some kind of financial problem I'm too poor to understand.
In all seriousness, that's a deal, depending upon where you are. In the Denver area you're not getting into anything for less than $400k unless it's in the hood.
YOU KNOW WHAT GRINDS MY GEARS? HOUSES COSTING 150K, BUT THEN REQUIRES YOU TO JOIN THE GOLF CLUB ASSOCIATION FOR A UPFRONT $75K MEMBERSHIP FEE AND ON TOP OF A $50K NON REFUNDABLE FEE TO BUY THE HOUSE.